VIU Student Pulse News: October 21, 2020

We know this time of year can get overwhelming, with the semester in full swing, lots of assignments coming up and the added stress of adjusting to online learning during a pandemic. If you’re struggling, please reach out. In this edition of the Student Pulse, we’ve got information about a variety of resources, from a stress management workshop, to a message of support from our counsellors, to job hunting tips.  

Need to know

Shining a Light on Mental Health

This school year has presented some new challenges and involved some pretty major adjustments for everyone. On the #VIUBlog, Counsellor Gemma Armstrong has a message of support and encouragement for students.

Job Hunting Tips 

Looking for work? It isn’t business as usual these days, but VIU’s Centre for Experiential Learning has some tips to help you break into the pandemic job market. Read more about job hunting during COVID-19 in the VIU Blog.

Connect

Competion Makes Campuses More Accessible

The Innovative Designs for Accessibility (IDeA) student competition challenges university students across Canada to use their creativity to develop innovative, cost-effective and practical solutions to accessibility barriers for people with disabilities. Applications are now open!

Student Town Hall

Hybrid learning has changed what it is like to be a student right now. The VIU Students’ Union wants to hear about how it’s really going. The town hall takes place tonight (Wednesday, October 21) at 7 pm. Register now.

Food Security in the age of COVID-19 

Earlier this year, the lockdown slowed travel on and off Vancouver Island, grocery stores began running out of products and there were interruptions in food supply chains. The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many, and a reminder to people just how precarious our food supply can be. Want to learn more? Watch our Engaged Citizens Speaker Series webinar on this topic.

Digital Viewbook 

VIU has recently launched a new digital viewbook. The goal is to make it easier for students to understand what we offer at VIU and the different services available to help get started. Make sure to check it out!

Contribute to Sustainability Initiatives at VIU 

Are you interested in helping VIU reduce its environmental footprint and increasing awareness of sustainability issues in the community? The Sustainability Advisory Committee is seeking student members to give advice and recommendations towards meeting the University’s sustainability commitments. For more information, contact Don.Alexander@viu.ca or go to the Sustainability Advisory Committee website.

Athletics and Recreation Activities 

Don’t stay cooped up in your room this fall! Our Mariners Athletics and Recreation is offering a range of activities and gym access this fall to keep you moving and having fun, including pre-booked time slots in the gym, intramurals and outdoor rec trips. Learn more.

Supports and services

Resources for Students

Looking for answers about university regulations, learning supports, student life, experiential opportunities and the latest news about VIU? Check out the Resources for Students website or connect with a friendly Advisor.

Nanaimo Library Open 24-7

The Nanaimo campus library’s third and fourth floors are now open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to meet all your late-night study needs. Need a computer on campus? Drop by the Commons or check out the lab on the library’s fifth floor (open Monday – Friday, 9 am – 3:45 pm). Don’t forget your VIU ID card to gain access to the building.

Mental Health Check-up

It’s time for your check-up! Your mental and emotional health are just as important as your physical health. Join the VIU counselling team for a drop-in, virtual mental health screening. The screening only takes 30 mins and it’s free! This event is open to all VIU students. Register now.

Thriving at VIU Resources

Did you know that VIU’s Thrive page not only has live events to help you promote your own wellness, but it also has a collection of asynchronous resources that you can access at any time? Check out the Fast Thrive tips page and the Thrive Thursday’ recorded events tab. With podcasts, videos and articles, there is something for everyone, and the content is constantly being updated, so check back lots!

Virtual Career Fair

VIU, Camosun College, North Island College and Royal Roads University have teamed up to offer an Island-wide virtual employment and networking expo to connect students with work experience opportunities. This event will take place November 19. Learn more at the VI Career & Connections Fair homepage.

REACH Awards

The 2020 REACH Award competition’s deadline is October 31! Fifteen awards worth $3,000 each will be given out to students working on independent research projects. Undergraduate and graduate students can apply, all disciplines welcomed! For more info contact Kendra.Stiwich@viu.ca or visit VIU’s research website.

Tips for Online Learning

Join Services for Aboriginal Students on Thursday, October 22 for a Zoom workshop on Strong Hearts, Strong Minds – Tips for Online Learning. A 20-minute presentation will be followed by 10 minutes of questions. Hosted via Zoom: Meeting ID: 690 4421 4838, Password: 285660.

Women’s Circles

The ‘s’uluq’wa Community Cousins Aboriginal mentorship program is hosting women’s circles, open to all VIU students who identify as female. Join the cousins once a month to get together virtually and chat in a safe space. Meeting dates: Thursday, October 22, Thursday, November 19 and Thursday, December 17 from 4-6 pm. Zoom details: Meeting ID: 690 0210 4988, Password: 076034.

Handling Stress in the Moment

Want to learn how to be more adaptive and resourceful when responding to stressful situations? Join this webinar on Thursday, October 29 with VIU’s Success Coach, Sharon Kelly, for tips and tricks on handling stress in the moment.

Book a Session with VIU’s Success Coach

Want to book a session with our VIU Success Coach? To book an appointment, you need to sign in to CareerVIU and use the same username and password you use to login to your student record. The first time you use the system you need to acknowledge that you are logging into Orbis and leaving the VIU website. If you need help with the process email Sharon.Kelly@viu.ca or call her at 250-619-9289.

Website for Student Job Opportunities Launches

VIU and North Island College have partnered to create a one-stop-shop online hub to increase work-integrated learning opportunities for students. Visit the Vancouver Island Work-Integrated Learning website for more information.

Priorities, Energy and Time Management Workshop

Join VIU’s Success Coach, Sharon Kelly, to talk about priorities and time management to create a system that will help you stay on track with actions aligned with what is important to you. More info.

VIU Elders-in-Residence Autumn Schedule

Our Elders-in-Residence provide counselling, support and guidance to all VIU students who wish to speak with them. View their fall schedule.

Mark your calendars

Money to Help Pay for School

Want some extra cash to help with expenses? The deadline to complete your VIU Scholarship, Award and Bursary Profile is noon on October 31 to access VIU bursaries. Here’s how to apply.

Campus events

Stay on top of what's happening at VIU by checking our Campus Events website.